The latest arts appointments and departures

From Symphony under the Stars to a roller derby, Sydney Festival’s 2026 program blends celebration and renewal to build “a playground of imagination”.

For 2026, co-Artistic Directors Melissa Doecke and Ben Opie have cultivated a festival with deep roots into the Country it stands on.

“Lower your guard,” says incoming Artistic Director Matthew Lutton, heralding the return of Peter Sellars and contemporary music.

Perth Festival 2026 will see the city turned into a stage, with performances and installations reimagining its landmarks.

The New Zealand festival presents international artists, contemporary and classical works, and a concert that pairs chocolate with music.

The "gutsy" new regional festival is flush with flavours from classical, improvised and jazz to contemporary music.

The Sydney-based ensemble to join the program for the 2026 Australian Festival of Chamber Music in Cairns.

Samara Joy, Hiromi, Melanie Charles and Claudia Doffinger are this year's international headliners for the female-focused festival.

A three-course feast of early music and a star-powered production by the late Robert Wilson are among the banner events for Adelaide Festival 2026.

Though deeply tied to Queensland, this dramatised theatre documentary speaks to broader questions about who Australia welcomes and why.

The revamp of an iconic theatre ensures Brisbane will remember this party long after it is over.